I hope that you enjoyed the Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac special last week. He was a very special guitarist and certainly deserves his reputation as one of rock music's pioneers, his solos on 'Need your love so bad', 'Black Magic Woman' and the moving 'Man of the world' are spinetingling ... It's amazing that most people think that 'Black Magic Woman' was written by Santana. This Thursday (30th) I will be playing an interview that I recently did with Jethro Tull founder and frontman, Ian Anderson, talking about the band's lengthy career and his upcoming live SA concerts in November .... There will also be an opportunity for five Rock of Ages listeners to win double tickets to see legendary folk rockers, Magna Carta, at the White Mountain Festival next month ... plus the best in classic rock and blues, exclusively on Radio 2000 ........ This week's special will be the the powerful but shortlived rock 'supergroup', Audioslave. Now read on for rock news, the gig guide, rock birthdays and more.....
Audioslave
Audioslave's history started in October, 2000, after agit-rock outfit Rage Against the Machine broke up when lead vocalist Zack de la Rocha left the band. The other three members of the band Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk decided to stay together, planning to continue as a trio under the "Rage" name. Several vocalists jammed with the band at this time, including B-Real of Cypress Hill and Maynard James Keenan of Tool, however music producer Rick Rubin later suggested that they jam with Soundgarden Chris Cornell and "see what happens". The chemistry between the singer and the three musicians became immediately apparent, and they began work in the studio in May, 2001, writing 21 songs in 19 days (the first of which was "Light My Way" and the third being "Set It Off"). Tom Morello described the origin of the name "That was Chris's suggestion that sort of came to him in a vision. We're all on the two-way pagers, and Chris one night said, "I got it. It's Audioslave." We were all, like, "All right, fantastic."... To paraphrase Elvis Costello, talking about band names is like dancing about architecture – there's just no point in it because the band name becomes the music and the people". Morello added of the name, "I think it adds a kind of three-dimensional depth to the rest of the package." It can also be speculated their name resembles a conglomerate naming convention with 'audio' being an alternative to the 'sound' in Soundgarden and 'slave' being polar to 'raging', as in Rage Against the Machine. The name also makes use of the compound word format used by Soundgarden for their moniker. After the name was announced, it emerged that it was already being used by an unsigned band from Liverpool. The two bands worked out a settlement, with the U.S. band paying $30,000 in a deal that allowed each band to use the name. Part of the agreement was that each band was to be true to its own identity when marketing and promoting recordings or concerts.
Allegations that they argued during production are not entirely unfounded; the group broke up in April, 2002, before they had even released an album. Under the tentative name "Civilian," 14 rough demo tracks were leaked onto various peer-to-peer filesharing networks around the same time as their pre-Audioslave breakup, confirming any rumors of the new RATM/Chris Cornell formation. The most notorious aspect of their temporary dissolution came that summer after the band cancelled their appearance in the popular annual rock festival Ozzfest. Subsequent interviews with the band revealed that early problems had been partly due to external pressures which were resolved when the band members sacked their previous management companies and hired Los Angeles-based company The Firm.Once that was completed, the Audioslave moniker was chosen by the band, and in August 2002, Audioslave's first single, "Cochise", was released, named after the famous American Indian chief, the last to die free and unconquered. Later in the fall, they would go on to release their debut, self-titled album on November 19, 2002.The group's first studio album, Audioslave has attained triple platinum-selling status. Some lambasted the group as millionaire musicians who constantly argued during album production, and whose 1970s r sound is primarily the result of post-studio modification. Others compared them to Led Zeppelin, saying they added much-needed sound and style to contemporary mainstream music. They toured extensively worldwide in 2003, gaining largely positive reviews for their live performances, including overshadowing the headlining "reunited" Jane's Addictio at that year's version of Lollapalooza.
After spending some time off in 2004, they returned in fall of the same year to record the follow-up. In early Spring 2005, Audioslave announced that their follow-up album was completed and would see release that summer. As a special treat to fans who did not see them on Lollapalooza, the band secretly booked a small club tour to promote their upcoming album. On this tour, the band began performing songs from their previous bands, including Soundgarden's "Spoonman", "Outshined", and "Black Hole Sun", Rage Against the Machine's "Bulls on Parade", "Sleep Now in the Fire", and "Killing in the Name" as well as several new songs, including "Your Time Has Come", "Be Yourself", "Doesn't Remind Me", "The Worm", and "Man Or Animal".On May 6, 2005, Audioslave became the first American rock group to perform a concert in Cuba, playing for free in front of an audience of 70,000. The concert was organized with the joint authorization of the United States Department of the Treasury and the Instituto Cubano de la Musica (The Cuban Intitute of Music. This concert was recorded, and released on DVD, entitled Live in Cuba, on October 11, 2005. It came in two versions, a basic package consisting of only the DVD, and a deluxe edition consisting of a DVD and a CD.
Their second album, Out of Exile, was released on May 24, 2005. It debuted #1 on the U.S. charts, and featured the song "Be Yourself" as the leading single. "Be Yourself" was soon followed by "Your Time Has Come" and "Doesn't Remind Me". The fourth single was the title track, "Out of Exile". The whole album was uploaded online at Audioslave's MySpace site for previewing. Critics did note Cornell's stronger vocals on Audioslave's second LP, likely the result of his quitting substance abuse in 2003.That summer Audioslave performed at the Live 8 concerts. Their performance was in Berlin, Germany. On August 19, 2005, Audioslave announced their first-ever headlining arena tour across the U.S. and Canada. Audioslave were nominated for the 2006 Grammy Awards in the "Best Hard Rock Performance" category for their song "Doesn't Remind Me".In 2006, video game company Empire Interactive announced that two songs from Out of Exile, "Your Time Has Come" and "Man Or Animal", would be featured on its racing game, FlatOut 2.
Revelations, RATM and Cornell's departure (2006–2007)
The band wasted no time recording their next album, Revelations, hiring producer Brendan O'Brien, who had worked with acts including Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden, Korn, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Incubus, and Bruce Springsteen. Audioslave had 20 songs written and returned to the studio in early January to finish recording them. As the bulk was sampled during their 2005 tour, the recording process took only 6 weeks. Revelations was released on September 5. The album has a number of songs influenced by old-school R&B and Soul, with guitarist Tom Morello describing the album as a cross between Led Zeppelin and Earth, Wind & Fire. Several of the songs on the new album, such as "Wide Awake" and "Sound of a Gun", take a more overtly liberal political stance than previous Audioslave releases. "Original Fire" the first single from the effort, was directed by P.R. Brown between July 3-July 7 and released July 17. On July 11, the song was made available online on Audioslave's official website for free streaming.
The songs "Wide Awake" and "Shape of Things to Come" from the new album are prominently featured in Michael Mann's summer film, Miami Vice. This was not the first time Mann had featured Audioslave in his work; his earlier film Collateral features the song "Shadow On The Sun" from the group's self-titled debut. The title song of their third album, "Revelations", is also featured (as well as debuted) on the soundtrack for the EA Sports football video game Madden '07.
Chris Cornell wanted to delay the Revelations-tour in support of the new album, because he wanted to concentrate on his second solo album. Tom Morello said that he also is preparing his first solo album (see below) in the spring.
On February 15, 2007, Cornell officially announced his departure from Audioslave, issuing this statement: "Due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences, I am permanently leaving the band Audioslave. I wish the other three members nothing but the best in all of their future endeavors."
On February 23, 2007, the New York Post reported that "sources tell that the split had more to do with money than anything else. According to the source: 'Chris was unhappy with the financial arrangement within the group - he wrote all the music, yet the other three bandmates took an equal share in the multimillion-dollar publishing rights.'" Guitarist Tom Morello has said that he never officially heard from Cornell that he was leaving the group. Cornell countered: "Tom and I did have communications about the fact that I was gonna go make a record, and that I was tired of what ended up seeming like political negotiations toward how we were gonna do Audioslave business and getting nowhere with it." The other members of the band are yet to make any public statement on the situation and the future of the band.
Rock of Ages presents "Footstomping Music"
Order this album directly from the Rock of Ages website. Click on www.rock.co.za/rockofages for details.
THE EAGLES SOAR AGAIN....The Eagles new album "Long Road Out Of Eden" – their first full studio album in 28 years is being released by Universal Music on October 29. They are icons of rock music, and "Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975" is the best-selling album in recorded music history in the U.S., with sales in excess of 29 million copies. Worldwide, it has sold many millions more. The first single "How long" should hit the SA airwaves shortly.
SLASH REPENTS....After his career was celebrated at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, ex Gunners and current Velvet Revolver guitarist, Slash, has returned a guitar that he stole from the Hard Rock Cafe in Florida. Claiming to 'have walked off' with the instrument some years ago he said "What better way than to honour the Hard Rock for honouring me than to give it back, sort of".
WAR IN OCTOBER....Megadeth are to release the 'Warchest' box set through EMI on October 8. This four CD/one disc DVD set spans the band's career, and includes 30 previously unreleased tracks, both audio and video.
BEST OF JAGGER....Mick Jagger is to release a 17-track compilation called 'The Very Best of Mick Jagger' through Rhino on October 1. It will include the previously unreleased 'Too Many Cooks (Spoil the Soup)', Jagger recorded in 1973 in Los Angeles; 'Charmed Life', an outtake from the sessions for his 1993 solo album 'Wandering Spirit', and a cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Checking Up On My Baby', recorded around the same time as 'Wandering Spirit', with LA blues band the Red Devils.
RUSH: MORE SNAKES....Rush are to release a special edition of their album 'Snakes & Arrows' on September 3. This special UK tour edition will come with a bonus DVD with interactive features, audio re-mixes and a 45-minute documentary on the making of the record.
MILLION DOLLAR VEDDER....Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder fronts a band called the Million Dollar Bashers for a cover of the Bob Dylan classic 'All Along The Watchtower'. This is to appear on the soundtrack for new Dylan-themed movie 'I'm Not There'. This will also include Sonic Youth's version of 'I'm Not There', The Hold Steady doing 'Can You Please Crawl Through Your Window'.
STINGING THE INTERNET....W.A.S.P. are to release a compilation called 'The Best Of The Best' through Snapper on September 24. The label have launched a specific website related to the release at the following address: www.snappermusic.com/wasp. The site features music, downloads, and each week it will also feature a different classic W.A.S.P. video and a different entry from the W.A.S.P. 'Hall Of Shame'. This week there's the video for 'I Wanna Be Somebody' and the story behind the band's first European tour.
DREAMING OF AN AUCTION....Dream Theater have launched a special auction website in association with the charities Camp Good Days and Special Times. The first item up there is a signed iPod. Loaded with the complete Dream Theater catalogue. Go to http://stores.ebay.com/Dream-Theater-Charity-Auction-Site. Camp Good Days and Special Times are non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, adults and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life threatening challenges.
KISS ATTACK....Kiss perfomed as a three piece without guitarist Paul Stanley at a show in California recently after Stanley's heart began beating at twice the normal rate during soundcheck. "I'm very proud of Gene, Tommy and Eric for carrying on without me. The doctors said that I would have out myself at risk if I had tried to do the show"..the reason?? undisclosed but the grapevine mutters that maybe less powder would help Paul's career.
JONI SELLS OUT....Joni Mitchell is the latest music star to sign to Hear Music, the record label owned by US coffee chain Starbucks. She joins Sir Paul McCartney at the counter.
YOUNG DREAMS....Neil Young's new album, 'Chrome Dreams II', is due out in mid-October. It includes two tracks which stretches well beyond the ten-minute mark. Young had intended to release an album called 'Chrome Dreams' in 1977, but scrapped the plan for undisclosed reasons.
AXL SLAPS SEB....According to blabbermouth.net Axl Rose appears on two tracks from the new Sebastian Bach solo album 'Angel Down'. These are '(Love Is) A Bitchslap' and a cover of Aerosmith's 'Back In The Saddle'. This is due out in late November.
COMING SOON.......Opeth are to release a double CD live album in late October. Called 'The Roundhouse Tapes', this will be on the Peaceville label, and was recorded at The Roundhouse in London last November....ROA faves Coheed & Cambria's new album, grandly called "Good Apollo I'm burning Star IV Volume 2: No world for tomorrow" is set for release in late October....The Cult are back with a new waxing titled "Born into this", the first single is appropriately called "Dirty little rock star"...Dire Straits guitarist, Mark Knopfler, has a new album soon, called "Kill to get crimson" (sounds positively rock 'n roll-hopefully!).....Robert Plant has a new album in the offing. 'Raising sand" is a collaboration with country folkie/bluegrass star, Alison Krauss, scheduled for early November.
SHORTS CUTS.....Two people died and 83 were arrested during the Ozzfest show in Holmdel, New Jersey. Police say the deaths were related to alcohol and drugs....A pair of spectacles worn by the late John Lennon during The Beatles Japanese tour of 1966 are being auctioned online. Current bidding has already exceeded 800,000 pounds....Aerosmith's "I don't want to miss a thing" has been voted the UK's favourite wedding tune - beating out the likes of Eric Clapton's "Wonderful tonight", Elton's "Your song" and Bryan Adams vomit inducing "Everything I do (I do for you)....Boston mastermind, Tom Scholz, has been honoured by the National Animal Rights conference in LA in recognition of his life long support of animal rights....
Keep the rock real...
Benjy
Contact Rock of Ages
Email: Website:www.rock.co.za/rockofages Snail mail: PO Box 782022, Sandton 2146 Studio phone: 089-1102003
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, rants, raves and ramblings expressed on this website are the author's own and in no way reflect the views of Radio 2000 or the SABC.
The legendary Jethro Tull return to South African shores in November for their second tour (they came in the 90's). In a recent phone interview founder Ian Anderson promised SA fans 'the best of Jethro Tull drawn from a cross section of albums' .... can't wait.....book now at Computicket.
7th November - Grand West Casino, Cape Town
9th November 2007 – Lords and Legends, Amanzimtoti, Durban
10th November 2007 – Carnival City's Big Top Arena, JHB
11th November 2007 – Carnival City's Big Top Arena, JHB
MAGNA CARTA
Known for their epic 70's "Lord of the Ages" album, folk rockers Magna Carta are set to tour next month as follows:
31 Aug Die Taphuijs (Grahamstown)
1 Sept Smokey Swallows (East London)
2 Sept Tapas al Sol (Port Elizabeth)
7 Sept The Blues Room (Johannesburg)
8 Sept The Blues Room (Johannesburg)
15 Sept The Armchair Theatre (Cape Town)
22 Sept White Mountain Festival (Drakensberg KZN)
Boulevard Blues Band
26th Guzzlers, Milnerton
31st Berties Mooring, Gordons Bay
1st The Cape Farmhouse, Scarborough
8th Fogeys in Muizenberg
9th Justwine
12th Berties Mooring, Gordons Bay
14th Nameless, Somerset West
15th Die Boer, Durbanville CT
16th Bloemendal Wine Estate Rocks
21st Graaf Reinet Rally
22nd Harley Davidson Rally, Colesberg
23rd Hermanus Whale Festival
30th Rocking the Daisies Music Festival
Burglars Dog
31st August Valley Tavern, Midrand
Japan & I / The Kiff / The Smoots
25th August Trotters, Boksburg
Tanz Café, Bryanston
24th Chris Chameleon
Chromium
25th Sundowners
31st Zeppelins
12th Avenue
24th The Edge 41 Cherry lane Parklands Cape Town 25th Klein Libertas Theatre, Stellenbosch
You say it's your birthday...
August 23
Keith Moon - The Who - 1947
Steve Clark - Def Leppard - 1960
Rick Springfield - 1949
August 24
John Cipollina - Quicksilver Messenger Service - 1943
Stay tuned every Thursday 8-12pm for the best in classic rock on RADIO 2000.
Your Host
Benjy Mudie
Then
Now
Benjy Mudie is a self confessed 'rockaholic' with little chance of recovery... a music obsessive whose entire life has been spent in search of the lost chord... from discovering Jimi's "Are you experienced" at 13, he has constantly devoured music through lp's, singles, tapes, cds, dvds, books, magazines, film, concerts, radio, tv and the internet. His entire working life has also been music related: from running a record store and later joining WEA Records in the mid 70's through to his 21 year A&R/Marketing stint at Tusk Music where he signed some of the biggest names in South African rock and pop. The last 8 years have been spent nurturing new talent at his indie label Fresh Music and reissuing classic albums as part of it's ongoing Retro series.... To say that 'music is his first love' (to paraphrase John Miles's classic song) is somewhat understated.
This website is part of the South African Rock Encyclopedia
